enforce

1 of 2

verb

en·​force in-ˈfȯrs How to pronounce enforce (audio)
en-
enforced; enforcing; enforces
Synonyms of enforce

transitive verb

1
: to give force to : strengthen
2
: to urge with energy
enforce arguments
3
: constrain, compel
enforce obedience
4
obsolete : to effect or gain by force
5
: to carry out effectively
enforce laws
enforceability
in-ˌfȯr-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce enforce (audio)
en-
noun
enforceable
in-ˈfȯr-sə-bəl How to pronounce enforce (audio)
en-
adjective
enforcement
in-ˈfȯr-smənt How to pronounce enforce (audio)
en-
noun

enforceability

2 of 2

noun

en·​force·​abil·​i·​ty
-ətē, 
-i
plural -es
: the quality or state of being enforceable

Synonyms of enforce

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of enforce in a Sentence

Verb Police will be enforcing the parking ban. the duty of the police is to enforce the law
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Essayli and other federal officials on Monday held up Shah’s case and the 27 others as proof the state was not enforcing citizenship. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026 And her campaign is being overseen by political consultant Jeff Millman, who worked on the Measure HLA push that would enforce bike lanes, bus lanes and pedestrian enhancements. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 The pledge outlines clear guidance on minimum model sizing, enforcing minimum sizes of EU 34 (US 2) for women, as well as access to healthy food and beverages in line with models’ dietary needs on shoots and at shows. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026 The judge found that the rules gave city officials excessive discretion to decide which remarks were permissible and that they had been enforced inconsistently. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enforce

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French enforcer, from en- + force force

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enforce was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing enforce

Rhymes for enforce

See All Rhymes for enforce

Browse Nearby Words

enfoldment
enforce
enforceability
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enforce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enforce. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

enforce

verb
en·​force in-ˈfō(ə)rs How to pronounce enforce (audio)
-ˈfȯ(ə)rs
1
: to bring about by force : compel
enforce obedience
2
: to carry out effectively
enforce the law
enforceable
-ˈfōr-sə-bəl How to pronounce enforce (audio)
-fȯr-
adjective
enforcement
-ˈfōr-smənt How to pronounce enforce (audio)
-fȯr-
noun
enforcer noun

Legal Definition

enforce

transitive verb
en·​force
enforced; enforcing
: to cause to take effect or to be fulfilled
enforcing the divorce decree
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation—U.S. Constitution amend. XIX
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